Timing device.



F. W. SMITH.

TIMING DQVICE.

ArPLcAnox m2o MAH. 2. 191e-,

Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

IN V EN TOR.

a M num Lum: wnamwmu, n. c

.Feelin W- Smm, or WESTHBLD, New messi?.

TIMING DEVICE.

Spricatien e! weer? Patent Patented Alpr- .2.2, 1.91.9..-

.tpplleation lled Merch 2, 1918. Serial 1T o. 81,828.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK 'W. Snirm, e citizen of the United Sintes, sidin at Westfield, in thecounty of Union end ft-nte of New Jersey, have invented cerinin new and useful Improvements in 'Timing Devices, of which the, following is a specication.

My present invention relates to n timing device by which. to so control the operation of a motive force as to introduce 'e determinable time interval between the appl-ication of such force sind the production either in .whole 'or in part of its mti-veeifeot,

'.lhe objectof the invention is to provide a timingl device, more particularly for n magnetic circuit or electromngnct although also np alicnble mother and purely mechanical fiel s vwhich is simple 1n construction, readily adjustable, ellicient, and durable end is not liable to get out of order and conse( uently requires little attention.

lilith this object in vienr my improved timing device comprises .as its princi al distingulshin l feature a mem-ber vvhi i is inclosed nu sealed within a Vcus-ing or container, as required, within which 1t is free to move from one to another position at n determinble rete or time interuelrnnd thereby to secure the desired -tixni effect. In the various forms in which therwicc is capahleof practical eppleitcation, the timed movement of this mein within its contniner may be effected in any suitable ninnn'er, eleetromagnetically '.cr by gravity for exemple, :md may `perform its .function either by changing the condition of a meg` netic circuit or mechnnicall The invention also includes the novel eetures of construction, armngcnient, and combina-tion of parts hereinafter vfully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention will be understood by met erencc to the acmmpnnying drawings, illus training several dille-rent modes o fapplication und appropriate forms .of the timing device, in whiche- F igure 1 is n view, artly in section end partly in elevation, o a long-pull electronmgnct of the solenoid type equipped with my new timing device; Fig. 2,D nlike view showing a. modifiention of the tuning device as npplicd to the control of n solenoid; Fig.

3, n -like view showing a tim-ing device of somewhat dill'erent forni inserted in Itud forming n pert of the armature of another cmmnon 'type of eleetrome net; Fig, 4, e plan view from. below, pei-'t y broken sway,

of the nrmnture shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, ii..

view, also in sec-tion and elevation, showing e modification of the timing device as wpplied .to .e solenoid and rendered operative thereby to control the o ration of nn electromaneticalily-ectuete switch; end Figs. 6 and l, like views showing a timing device similar to that illustmted in Fig.- 5 rendered opemtive by the actuation of o. solenoid Ato mechanically control the operetion ofe -switch, the various moveble parts being Shown in different positions in the 1two tigures.

Referring filst to Fig. l, in which is illustrnted what is perhaps the simplest applica.- tion of my invention, n solenoid, consistin of u helix or coil 1 woiuid 4upon the usua spool und mounted within n magnetic freine 2 is provided with a. plun er specially construoted 4so ns to delay t e notion 'of the solenoid when energized end serve-as n timing device therefor. The plungercomprises ai cylindrical outer easing o r container 3, of suitable non-mngnetizeble inwierie'l, which is closed by a cap i screwed into its threaded upper end or otherwise suitably secured thereto, und, within the senled chernber thus formed, the usuel soft iron or other megnetiznblecore 5, normally resting by A vity upon en adjusting screw 6 set into t e bote tom of the ansi-ng and of such diameter as to leaven narrow annular passage between its surface and the inner surf-ace of the casing, and Vn suitable fluidJ glycerin or en oil for exemple, which completely -frlis -the space within the ycheminer not occupied by the core, To the ccp forming the upper end of the plunger is secured e pin or Astein 7 which passes through e central opening A rovided therefor in the top of the solenoid -frnme and citi-ries on its threaded upper end a nut 8 by which the plunger is normal-ly supported on the freine nt the limit of its downwnrd movement end by which suc-h position may be regulated.

lu this form of `the device` the nir-grip left in the magnetic circuit by the inn-gnetic core in position at the bottom of its stroke restricts the magnetic flow, when the circuit through the solenoid winding is closedvand the coil isV ciiergied; to alifalue iiisiiilicient to overcome the weight of 'and so raise the plunger as a 5 whole but sufficient to raise the core within the casing, slowly because the fluid thereby displaced must work lthrough the annular. A

licientto oi-'ercomcthc .weight of the 'entire `plan r, whereupon; the p anger is raised b'odi y, 'practically,insutntaneouslyv after it starts to more andthe piu or stein carried at is upper end, by trip lng a latch or actuating an electric switch or example, docsthe 1;, work 'for which the solcnoidis employed. 'The opera-tion of the solenoid and the period ofdelayintroduced bythe timing de-lA vice .may easily, '.be regulated as desired, either byJneansof the adjusting screw 6 -or tnut 8 orboth. ,Tliiis, the critical value of the solenoid, tliatis tosay, the. value of the ma netic ,How required to raise -jthe outer casing ofthe plunger to Ainstantl/ .perform the work required; of -the-isolenou, mined by properly, adpistin f,- the position offthe casin ywithin the co1 by means of' the mit' anl ,y this. having been done, the time tali critical value, longerl or Shorter as desired,

iis'obtained by lowering -or.raisingtlic ailjusting serewlo clial'i'gethe position of the magnetic corewithinthe casing.A -k

4.As modified in' Fig., 2,: theV spool upon which: is wound-'the coil 110i the solenoid is mounted .betweenV two iron heads-12 and. 13 The plunger, which as before comprises4 a soft iron core 14 lnelosed and-sealed withina casino. 15 iilled with fluid, is supported at the limit of its downward movement by .an arm 16 carried by a stein 17 dependinfir from one side Voi. the lower solenoid heac Surrounding the casing 15 is a helical s'pring'lS ,which at its lower end bears against` a shoulder 19 ornied'around the 5bcasing and at its upper end against an anstcm 17 by mea-ns of a set screw 21. An arm 22, of iron or other inagnetizable metal, is pivoted at its lower cad toa lug 23 car- -jf ried by' the lower solenoid head and its upfer end is adjiistably secured in position, y a setscrew 24, upon a curved segmental arm 25 projecting outwardly from the upper solenoid head. A rod or stem 26, mou ntedtoreciprocate within a central opening inthe upper solenoid head and supported normally therein by a. collar 27, carries yielilingly or otherwise suitably mounted upon its upper end the movable contact member 2S of an electric switch.

. 'lliveuppeijatiou of the plunger as atin1 is deter?.

enl byjtlie; -lsolenoid to leach its.

nular 1ing20 adjust-ably secured upon the.

quently the length of the air-gap at its upper end, is fixed, but by changing the 'positionof the arm 22 to lengthen oi' shorten the second air-gap in the magnetic circuit, between its' upper end and the upper soled noid. head, the value of the magnetic flow and its eit'ect iipoii the magnetic core may be suitably regulated; and, in. addition, by

varying'- thel ltension of the spring 1'8 by shifting the position of the annular ring 20,- what ma)7 be called the elfective weight ofl the plunger may be increased or diminished to correspondingly increase or diminish the time interval required bythe upward move-- nient of the magnetic core to close the air- 'gap above and build up the magnetic flow to a value suflicient to. raise the outer cas-= ing of the plunger and thereby actual-.aI the movable contact member toV close the switch above. f f .4

A s illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, tl ie timing device is linserted in and -forins a part of the'armature. of an elect-roma is common, consists of a coil-31 wound .as usiiah upona spool and mounted upon a magnetic iron core 32 between heads 33 and 3ft secured to its eiids.- The armature of the ma net, which as sliowu is pivoter] at one enc to the magnet head 33 and at its other end carries a. contact and constitutes the movable contact member of an electric switch` com riSestWo 'mavnetiza'ble metal pieces 35 anc 36 separated by a Yrentangular casing or container 37, of suitable material tol prov-ide an--airigap in the member, to

Athe flanged upper sides of which the adjacent ends of the tivo pieces are secured. A loosely litting flanged plate or piston 38 of magnetizable metal is mounted within the casing, which is Iilled with a suitable fluid and sealed by a cap 39, preferably of nonmagnetie material, secured t0 its upper end. The outer free end of the armature is adjustably held in normal open position by means of an arm 40, depending from the magnet head 34, in the lower flanged end of which is Set an adjusting screw fil bearing against the lower side of the armature.,

When the coil of this magnet is energized the magnetic {low over the magnetic circuit, which includes the air-gap normally provided in the armature by Vthe casinr of the timing device and a second air-gap etwecn the outer end of the armature and the adjacent magnet head, `serves at first only to slowly' raise the magnetic piston within the sealed chan'i'bei' of the casing, against the rctarding action of the fluid therein, 4and thereby to gradually close theair-gap in the armature and secure all increased magnetic ffnet, which, as-

moi-,era

- netf'andrconsequently the period .of the delay in lts'action, may beregulatcd ily-turning the normal opgaaf-position of thearmature; also that, when thezermature once begins to more, the'value ofithe magnetic Vfiony in,A creasesrapidlyfund the-switch i's vclosed instately 1- .Y -In still yanother applicationo. `the invention, show-n in Fig-:5, the timing'device isV 165 interposed between-the plunger 61 of a solenoid 62,-botli of-usual ory any suitable construction, and-an electromagnet which compr'isethe usual coil 63, a fixed magnetic core withtwo parallel legs 64 and 65 located one within -end theA other outside the coil,- and thefusual armature 66, f ivoted to the lower end of the ou'ter le `o the core and adjustably-held in suitab e position below theinner leg. The timing device here consists' of a. container 67 whiclris ivotall mounted at 68and at' its inner (le t hand end. is connected byn link 69 to the lower endof the solen'oid ,-plung'er` andfet its outer (ri ht hand) end-extends out-over the upper en s of the' core .of :the magnet. Mounted to slide within the container, which is filled witlra fluid and sealed by a cap, is an elongated piston 70 of ma netizable metal, having a centraldongitu 'nel passage -71 contr'olled by avalve 72 so'arrangcd as to permit the-fluid confined within the continuer to pass .freely :through the' passage as-the piston'moves froniiright to left therein but to. 'retard'its mormentj in lthe opposite dimotion.'l i 1 Thus, when th'e solenoidwindingY is deeneigized and its plunger dro s by gravity, the pivote'd-.eon'tamer istilte up to what may be callcd-itsxnormal position, shown in full lines in the ligure, the piston sliding quickly-down to and resting' against the low-erinner-end of the chamber .of the oontainer. When, on the other hand, the solenoid is energized and raises the plunger,l the container is tilted downwardly so as to bring its outer end intoclose proximity to the up.- per ends of the magnet core, as shown 1 n dotted lines, whereupon the heavy 'magnetic piston, sliding by rarity slowly down to the outer .end of t ie chamber, gradually closes 'the gap. between and magnetically brid es the upper ends of the ma et core unti the value of the .magnetic ow over the circuit thus completed becomes sulieient to raise the armature of the electromagnet. When the solenoid winding is again decnergized und the outer end of the container is raised, the circuit of the electromagnetis broken and its armature drops. By adjusting the normal open position of the armature tn change the critical value of the electromagnet the period of the delay in its action can to a certain extent lie regulated.

In the last niodilication shown, Figs. 6 and 7, the construction of the timing device is substantially the same as in the last preceding figura In this case, however, the 'piston 73' with valve-controlled passage mounted within the fluid filled container 74 need not be inagnctizable since' it performs its function Vin a purely mechanical manner. The inner end Vof the container is operatively connected by the perforated lug 7.5 with a Stemi 7.6 extending downwardly from the plunger of a solenoid, the two nuts 77 by which thelug is secured tothe stem allowing itin certain amount of movement thereon.

Normally, the solenoid being denergizcd, the container is tilted 4up and the piston therein rests against the lower inner end of the closed chamber, fas shown in F ig. 6. menthe solenoid 1s energized and draws up its plunger, the conta-hier is at once tilted downwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7, where it is stopped and held by a stem attached to the piston of the desir pot I8A mitil the slowly descending piston passes, the pivotal support of the container and further tilts it, a einst the action of the daslrpot, to the iosltion shown Vin dotted linesin Fig. 7. v such further-movement the outer end of theV container is pressed down lupon and closes the movable contact member 79 of a switch normallyheld in open position by a spring.

- In case the fluid with which the container of the timing ,device is filled is a liquid, it will be understood that it is desirable to make somesnitable provision for dillerences in the rate of expansion of the several parts under changes in temperature. This may be done, for example, b leaving a small quantity of air wil-hin t e container or-by inserting. therein a piece of eompressi ble material such as cork, in the formV of a disk BQ, secured in one end ofthe container (se Fig. 1) -or to an end of the movable member.

One of the chief advantages of my improved4 timing device is that both the movable member' or element and the fluid hy which 'its move-ment is timed are sealed within a closed container so that its working parts are completely protected from dust, dirt, and corrosion. Again, since the inevable member is not physically connected with any part outside the container, there is no stulling box or other packing to wear out und perinit leakage of thc timing fluid. So far as the condition of the timing fluid may be affected by changes in temperature, the changes arc always in the right direction. And, urthernmre, the timing device is adapted for use under widely varying comlitions because of its ready adjnstability and by reason of the fact that its movable element may be actuated either electromagnetically or by gravity and mayl perform its function either by changin the condition of a magnetic circuit or mec ianically.

While I have explained the princi le of myinvention and have fully describe .what I now consider to be the best modes in which to apply that principle inseveralv of its different applications, it will ofjcourse be understood that theinvention may be furth'er 'modified in its details and applied in still diflerent ways without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages thereof. l

"What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A timing device comprisin a stationary electromagnet, a movable e ement, and interposed between the two a movably mounted casing containing a body of fluid and-a member adapted to move from one position to another therein at a ratedetermined bythe rate of displacement of the fluid, the several parts being so operatively' combined that on the energization of the electroma et the movable elementrwill be actuated ut only after the time interval required for the member within the casing to move from one position to another therein. 12. A timing device comprising a stationary4 electroma et, an electric switch, a movably mounterlrnsealcd casing containin a body of fluid, and a-meniber located wit iin the easin and adapted to move from fone position ierein to another at a rate determined by the ratelof displacement ofthe fluid, the several parts being so operatively combined that the electromagnet on being energized will eil'ect a movement of the easing and thereby the actuation of the switch.

but only after the time interval required for the member within the casing to move therein from one predetermined position to anotlier. l i

3. A 'timing device comprising a movable element,'an electromagnct for actuating the movable element, a. sealed easing containing a body of fluid mounted to move within the magnetic field, and a magnet-izable core mounted within the casing and adapted to move therein at a rate determined by the rate of displacement of the fluid, the several parts being so operatively combined that the electronia net becomes effective to actuate the Inova le element only when the casing and the core therein occupy deteiininable positions within the magnetic lield.

4. A timing device comprising a movable element, an electromzgnct, a sealed easing containing a body of uid mounted to move within the magnetic iield and adapted by its movement to actuate the movable element, and a magnetizable core located Within the casing and adapted Vto move therein at a rate circuit,.a casing of non-magnetizable.'nia 75 4terial containing a body of duid mounted to move within the circuit, and a ma netizable core located within the casing an adapted to be moved therein by the magnetic iux inthe circuit at a rate determined by the rate of displacement of the duid, the parts being normally so supported, the casing with respectto the circuit and the core within the casing, that the magnetic flux in the circuit will be insuicient to move the casing until the core has been moved a predetermined distancetherein. 4

-6. A timing device comprising a inagnetic circuit, a sealed casing of non-magnetizable material containin 'xi-body' of fluid mounted to move within t ie circuit, a inagnetizable core located within the casingand adapted to be moved therein by tliemagnetic [lux in the ciicuit at a rate deterlninable by the rate of displacement of the fluid, and means for adjusting the-A operative relationship 'of the parts so that the casing will not be moved until thecore hasbeen moved therein a predetermined distance. f

7. A timing device co-m rising a ma netic circuit, a sealed casin o non-mn etiza-ble material containing a ody of Hui mounted to move within the circuit,n; ma etizable core located within the 4.casing an adapted to be moved therein bythe ma etic flux in the circuit at a rate determinab e by the rate of displacement of the fluid, the casing being normally so supported with relation to the circuit that the magnetic flux wi-ll be insuilicient to move the casing until the core has been moved therein a predetermined distance, and means for regulating the value of the magnetic linx required to start the movement both of the core and of the casing.

8. The combination, in a solenoid, of a 115 magnet coil and a compound plunger which comprises a casing of non-ni. etizable niaterial containing a: body of fluid and a magnetizable core adapted to nieve therein at a rate determined by the rate of displacement 120 of the fluid and which is so supported within the coil that the magnetic 4flux will be insufiicicnt to raise the langer as a whole until the core has been raised a: predetermined distance within the casing.

9. The combination, in a solenoid, of a magnet coil, a com )ound plunger which comprises a casing o non-magnetizable material containing a body otfluid and a' magnetizable core adapted to move therein at a 130 rat-e determined by the inte of displacement of the fluid and which is normally supported with relation to the coil so that tbe nmgnctic flux is insuicient to rwise the plunger as a, Whole until the core has been raised e pr determined distance therein, and means for regulating the velue of the magnetic flux required to Sturt the movement, of the core within the casi ng.

10. The combination, .in a solenoid, of n magnet coil, a comound plunger which comprises n, casing o non-magnetiznble mnterial containing a, body of fluid and n magnetizeble core adapted to move therein at a. rate determined by the rete of displacement of the Huid and which is normally suppolt ed with relation to the coil so that the magnetie lux is insuiiieient bo raise the plun er as a whole until the core has been raiseg e predetermined distance therein, and ineens for reguletinwffr bot-l1 the velue of: tbe magnetic flux required to Sturt the moveu'lent of the container and the time required to obtain such velue. ,v

1l. The combination, in n solenoid, of :t magnet coil, n compound plunger' which comprises n easing of nonunngnetizable ma,- teriul containing n body7 of fluid :und n. mugnetizuible core :rdnptcd to move therein at n rate determined by tbe rate of displacement of the fluid :md which is normally supported with relation to the coil so that the ningnetie flux is insullieient to reise the plunger es n Whole until the core has been raised :L nedetermined distance therein, and means lor adjusting the nornuil position both ofthe casing within the nul'gnetic coil und of the core Within the casing.

FRANK lV. SMITH.

Ooplel of this patent may be obtained for ve oents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti, Washington, D. C. 

